A very curious pic of an Islay uppers before lasting shows the smart way used by C&J to reduce hide waste:

The hidden tongues are probably all cutted from a dark brown hide massively used, the rest in the same tan of pembroke coniston etc, matched in the finishing room.

Actually it's nothing to do with avoiding waste. The tongue and the rest of the uppers are identical leather and all start off the same colour; the tongue, however, has to be stained before closing as otherwise the stain would mark the lining.

Last year I bought 3 pairs of CJ shoes and with all 3 of them I experienced the same problem, after a while the top of the heel starts to come off. With my 2 oxfords this started after 2-3 months. With my Coniston boots, which I bought middle of december, it's already noticeable on the sides, and I only have worn them 8-9 times and not on rough terrain. My cobbler says he sees this fenomenon more and more with all brands...

I wear my shoes often but never for 2 days in a row.

Is this normal? It's not really a big deal as my cobbler can easily replace them (for rubber ones because he says these stay in place better) but it's still 15€ for each replacement.

PS: besides of this returning problem I'm very happy with overall quality and durability of my CJ shoes. Very comfortable shoes as well.

Here in London I wear Highbury and Hallam, on rubber, to work.

They get a good spanking walking on tarmac, cobblestone, up and down stairs, smashing open lift doors, kicking out of my way children and the elderly, all in hot or freezing weather, rain and sleet.

I never wear them two days in a row and polish them every two weeks. Use C&J shoe trees.

Both are ~12 months old and look and feel like almost new.

Inspected both closely just now and nothing is coming apart.

These are incredibly well made shoes and offer fantastic value for money at this price points.

I have several (!) pairs of CJ collected over the years and haven't any issue with a single shoe. IMO the quality is of the highest order, this is even borne out when visiting the factory shop. their subs and samples are equally as resilient worn over the years. Should anyone ask for a rec regarding shoe purchases I always point in CJ direction.

I ordered a pair of Islay boots today , Phew! was it difficult to find my size a UK8!
I will share picture's as soon as they arrive and hope they fit me. my only concern will be the loose tongue, hope it stays in place when the boots are laced up.

They will be by only real pair of C&J in addition to these Holland&Holland boots probably made by C&J also.

Actually it's nothing to do with avoiding waste. The tongue and the rest of the uppers are identical leather and all start off the same colour; the tongue, however, has to be stained before closing as otherwise the stain would mark the lining.

Yes, at first I thought the same, but why do this with a boot where the tongue it's so long that it's easily handleable outside, even with an hand underside that cover the lining?

I ordered a pair of Islay boots today , Phew! was it difficult to find my size a UK8!
I will share picture's as soon as they arrive and hope they fit me. my only concern will be the loose tongue, hope it stays in place when the boots are laced up.

They're actually stitched just below the 4th eyelet or something like that, so I don't think you need to worry - at lest my tongues have stayed right in the middle. Some time ago I claimed that they were unstitched, but I was proven wrong when I put them on last time. Which was by the way here:

They're actually stitched just below the 4th eyelet or something like that, so I don't think you need to worry - at lest my tongues have stayed right in the middle. Some time ago I claimed that they were unstitched, but I was proven wrong when I put them on last time. Which was by the way here:

Only problem is it was two weeks ago, and I haven't cleaned them yet

(but the patina )

Thank you, lets see I may be able to try them tomorrow! hopefully they will be a good fit.